STAND. COM. REP. NO.  536-16

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2723

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 2723 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MOBILE ELECTRONIC DEVICES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to increase traffic safety, particularly for pedestrians, by prohibiting pedestrians from crossing a street, road, or highway while using a mobile electronic device.

 

     The Department of Transportation, Honolulu Police Department, and a concerned individual testified in support of this measure. Several concerned individuals testified in opposition to this measure.

 

     The use of mobile electronic devices has become more and more prevalent over the past decade.  While use of devices such as iPads, iPods, cell phones, and other mobile electronic devices can be a major source of distraction for motor vehicle drivers, these devices can also be a source of distraction for pedestrians.  Pedestrians distracted by these devices are often unaware of road conditions surrounding them, which can lead to collisions with motor vehicles, bicyclists, or other roadway users.  Your Committee finds that collisions due to distracted walking could be avoided and personal injury eliminated if the use of mobile electronic devices while crossing the street was regulated.

 

 

     While your Committee understands concerns raised regarding enforcement and the necessity for regulating the use of mobile electronic devices while crossing a street, this measure deserves further consideration.  Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2723, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2723, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Chair